French Valley Elementary School

Posted: April 25, 2023

Parent of a kid who has been attending K-3 during the middle of the pandemic.

About the pandemic: School adapted very well given the situation and the school district provided several tools during the rough isolation time at home (first they provided a laptop, then with an ipad that my kid has kept over the last 3 years). I was very surprised to see that my kid was able to keep up with reading, writing and math on a remote environment, specially when the kids are just learning to read.

I feel the school has good teachers overall (although you can tell over time which ones are better than the others) and they have a family culture all around that is very healthy.

My only concern is the slowness to develop new topics and how to push and incentivize learning when a kid is above their peers. I get that most teachers have to deal with 25 students at the same time, but it would be very helpful if they are able to identify which ones can do more, so they don't get bored with the basic things that fits the overall group.

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2023

Posted: August 15, 2022

We have 3 boys at French Valley Elementary and they absolutely LOVE IT! Our son who was in kindergarten last year was reading by the time he finished kindergarten!
Our boys teacher's have been AMAZING, the staff is so helpful every time I have question.
Love the sense of community the school creates with year round activities for the children and families, great school overall.

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: May 10, 2019

I have a now first grader at this school. It is absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, the kindergartner got sent to Susan La Vorgna, and it quite frankly, is a pain. The staff there are very rude and disrespectful towards extreme moments in a child's life. But this school, I absolutely love it, I am going to try and get the other child over here as soon as I can!

Posted: May 10, 2019

Posted: May 10, 2019

I absolutely love the teachers at this school. My brother is a huge handful and she takes the time with him to help him learn and improve.

Posted: May 10, 2019

Posted: May 10, 2019

Posted: May 10, 2019

Posted: May 10, 2019

Posted: August 18, 2014

My daughter started last year in Kindergarten, and is now in first grade. I can't express how much I love this school. She loves this school so much, that we were counting down the days during summer, as she couldn't wait to go back. I really feel like this school puts forth every effort to raise kind, caring children. I love all the programs, and I love the parent participation. While volunteering, I have been so impressed to witness the kindness these teachers have given the children. They really do seem to care. I agree that the principal, Mrs. Tapley, really has been a Godsend. The only bad thing is that traffic congestion. I get really bad anxiety over that part, but CA is so overcrowded that its going to be anywhere you go. We love this school and can't imagine going anywhere else. :)

Posted: February 9, 2014

I love this school, I have a girl in first grade and a boy in third grade, my son has been receiving speech support since first grade, his progress has been amazing. Love the community and love the school grounds. I have to drive more than an hour to get to work but this school is more than worth it.

Posted: July 15, 2013

My son just completed Kindergarten at FVES and he had an amazing year. This school is amazing and the new principal has been a God send. She is exactly what FVES needed. She is so in tune with the kids and their best interests. The teachers are amazing and really work together to give the kids the best education possible. We are very happy here!!

Posted: February 19, 2013

My daughter has attended K thru 2nd at this school. All 3 of her teachers have been excellent. 2 very strict, one more kick back, but she loves school and all the staff and is performing above grade level. I have been a class coordinator and my only complaint, is as usual it is a few parents that do all the work and volunteering. The traditions like friday flag, hero week, and fall carnival are all wonderful, and although I am considering other schools for my daughters future, I am having a hard time, as we love French Valley so much!

Posted: October 4, 2012

My child loves school & loves to get involved! I love to see my child take that initiative. However, this school does have a cliquish group which involves a small group of mothers & school staff (one who is spouse to a mother). How can my child legitimately participate in activities when this "group" won't allow others to fully participate? Only the groupies' children get "the prize" while the other children work hard to accomplish what they endeavor for and get nothing! How is that preparing future leaders when they are trying to control their future in negative way? Sadly enough, if a mom is not part of their group, then your child will be treated very VERY different.

Posted: April 17, 2012

This is a great school. My only problem is with my child's second grade teacher who seems to always be yelling at her students every time I come up to the school or every time I see her outside the school after school gets out. My child comes home stress and/or jumpy some days just from having to deal with having his teacher constantly yelling at the class all day. I understand that second graders ca be unruly and occasionally raising your voice is needed to get the class' attention, but for a child to experience this everyday for a whole school year is stressful for the kids, uncalled for and should be minimized.

Posted: March 22, 2012

Attainment versus achievement! We started here last November. I had high hopes for this school, since it had high rankings. I now understand how numbers can easily be manipulated to obtain scores that may not be very accurate. I have three children. My daughter is a straight A student and is in the GATE program. She does well in any setting but she was not happy at FVES. She said her teacher mainly sat at her computer all day, after assigning worksheets. My 2nd grade son, was assessed after two days of attending FVES and being under all kinds of emotional stress due to the changes and the move. None of this was taken into consideration, nor was his emotional well being. When he didn't perform well on those first tests, he was then labeled and stamped. I was basically bullied into getting him tested for special ed immediately, after he had just made straight E's at his previous 903 API score school. My kindergarten son was not supported properly either and both were at risk of retention. I've now moved my kids to another private school. They are doing great and all three are at the top of their class academically! I also volunteer inside the classroom, not in a hallway!

Posted: October 18, 2011

We LOVE this school! Our son is 3rd grade he has attended since Kindergarten. We also have a grandchild in 2nd grade. We have always had amazing teachers who put the kids first! We have had excellent communication in all situations. All of the office staff are always friendly and helpful. Great PTA and parent involvement...

Posted: September 12, 2011

I love the school. They work with my daughter, whatever she needs to help her be successful. My only complaint is Angie in the front office. She has a bad attitude and I always seem to be annoyed when I have to deal with her. She is never smiling and looks like she is always in a bad mood. Everyone else I have had a wonderful experience with.

Posted: August 11, 2011

I love this school. There is lots of parent involvment at every grade level. My child has been attending this school since Kindergarten and will be graduating soon. FVES has several outstanding and enthusiatic teachers. If your student is attending or is planning on attending this school you will be very pleased. The curriculum is challenging, but the teachers present the material in a manner that is exciting for the students.

Posted: February 21, 2011

I love FVES. My son is in Kinder and my daughter in 3rd. I believe their curriculum is challenging for a public school. Every teacher we have had at this school has been in close communication with me regarding my childs education. It has been a great experience.